S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park

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Última actualización: 19/08/2024

Es Grau sand tongue in connection with Albufera des Grau — Es Grau sand tongue in connection with the Albufera des Grau

The Albufera des Grau Natural Park is the only Natural Park in Menorca.
This protected area has an area of 5,100 hectares.
It is located on the northeastern coast of Menorca and is the nucleus of the Biosphere Reserve of Menorca.

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What is an Albufera?

An albufera ( Arabic origin, البحيرة (al-buḥayra), ‘the lake’) or albufera is an accumulation of salt water, separated from the sea by a tongue or sandy area, but in communication with the sea by one or more points .
Albuferas have warmer water than the sea, due to the slight stagnation or slow exchange of water between the sea and the albufera.
The albuferas are usually areas with a lot of vegetation and fauna.
Albuferas are a stopover point for migratory birds.

History of Albufera des Grau

In 1995 the Albufera des Grau was declared a Natural Park.
The area of the Albufera was tried to be urbanized during the 70’s, but the urban development projects were prevented from being finalized.
In 2003 the boundary of the Natural Park was extended and 5 nature reserves were declared:

Addaia Islands
S’estany
Bassa de Morella
Es Prat
La Illa d’en Colom

Characteristics of the Albufera des Grau

In the Albufera es Grau many natural habitats of Menorca are preserved:

Wetlands
Temporary ponds
Dune systems: the beach of Es Grau
Seagrass meadows: On beaches and in coves
Coastal islets: Illa d’en Colom

Some of the most representative species of the albufera’s fauna are the fish eagle and the Balearic lizard. The lagoon of the albufera des Grau is 3 meters deep and is inhabited by aquatic plants (such as Ruppia cirrhosa or Potamogeton pectinatus).
Thanks to the presence of these aquatic plants and some schools of fish, the lagoon is a resting place for waterfowl, among others:

The Common Coot (Fulica atra)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Walking Routes in Albufera des Grau

Map of Itineraries inside the Albufer des Grau

The best way to visit and get to know the Albufera des Grau is to do one of its 3 itineraries on foot.
The 3 routes are short and easy, and can be done all year round.
In addition to the 3 official itineraries of the Albufera des Grau, it is also possible to walk or cycle through the Section 2 of the Camí de Cavalls (Gr-223).

Itinerary 1 – Sa Gola (2.2 Km – 40min)

Sa Gola can be done on foot (40min) and by bike (10min).
This itinerary starts at the parking lot of the soccer field of Es Grau.
The whole route is very flat.
The itinerary runs along the channel of Sa Gola and the dune area of the beach of Es Grau. In summer it is pleasant because of the pine trees and because it is next to the sea.

Download info. (PDF)

Itinerary 2 – Cala Llimpia viewpoint (1.7 Km – 40min)

This itinerary is the least known of the 3 of the Albufera des Grau.
It runs along the southeastern part of the lagoon of the lagoon and has many points where it is worth stopping to observe the landscape.

Download info. (PDF)

Itinerary 3 – Santa Madrona viewpoint (2.8Km – 1h)

This itinerary can be done on foot but not by bike, as it is a very rocky terrain.
Itinerary 3 is the best for viewing waterfowl, especially in winter.
The trail skirts the southwestern shore of the lagoon of the Albufera and has many viewpoints and bird observatories worth stopping at.

Download info. (PDF)

Section 2 of the Camí de Cavalls to Favàritx

Section number 2 of the Camí de Cavalls Guide covers the stretch between Es Grau and the fantastic Far de Favàritx. This excursion can be done either by mountain bike or on foot. In case you do it by mountain bike, keep in mind that it is a route with some complicated sections, some of them passing through the beach, where it is quite likely that you will have to get off the bike.

Visiting hours to Albufera des Grau

The Albufera des Grau is open all year round from Monday to Sunday from 09.00 to 15.00.
There is an information booth, a permanent exhibition and binoculars are available for loan.
Joëlette chairs are also available by reservation.

Telephone: 971 17 77 77 05 / 609 60 12 49
Address: Carretera de Maò a Es Grau, Km 3.5 (Link to Google Maps)
Web: BalearsNatura

How to get there by bus

You can get there from Maó by bus (15 minutes) from June 15th to September 15th.
There are only 4 buses each day, so check the timetables to plan your excursion.